Library's Virtual Reference Services

Email Service is a common internet communication tool. This service allows the users to submit their questions by sending an email to the library's email address or by filling out the library's questionnaire form, in which case the library will reply in the email format. Compared with the telephone and face-to-face interviews methods, the users do not need to worry about jotting down all the information given to them, all the information is in the email. As long as the email is not permanently deleted, both sides can access it whenever it's needed. The downside is that the users never know if the librarians receive their questions or when they will receive an answer.

The information asked in the questionnaire form varies for different libraries. New York Public Library includes a question about what information is needed if it is about their eNYPL collection; Brooklyn Public Library requires the users to type in a code for security check; Queens Library asks what sources the users have consulted prior to submitting the form.